Laurent Ferrier Sport Auto 79: A Tribute to Racing Heritage and Refined Watchmaking

With the release of the Sport Auto 79, Laurent Ferrier introduces a notable new model that revisits the brand’s Sport collection— this time in solid red gold. More than just a luxurious sports watch, the Sport Auto 79 pays tribute to a key moment in the brand’s history, one deeply rooted in motorsport passion.

The name and design of this timepiece recall a pivotal event from 1979, when Laurent Ferrier, François Servanin, and François Trisconi— competing as amateur drivers— secured a surprise third-place finish at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. That moment of triumph sparked the vision that would eventually become Laurent Ferrier, now one of the most respected independent manufacturers in contemporary haute horlogerie.

True to its legacy, the Sport Auto 79 is a study in refined sportiness. The watch features a distinctive opaline cream sector-style dial with a galvanic rosé-silver finish that shimmers with subtle variations depending on the light. At 6 o’clock, a snailed small seconds subdial adds visual balance, while a tone-on-tone date window at 3 o’clock blends seamlessly into the design. Completing the dial are handcrafted assegai-shaped hands and teardrop indices, both treated with Super-LumiNova for excellent legibility in all conditions.

The luxurious 41.5mm tonneau-shaped case is crafted entirely from 5N red gold and measures 12.7mm in height. With a water resistance of 120 meters, this timepiece marries elegance with robustness. The case's curvaceous silhouette and the mix of brushed and polished surfaces evoke the aerodynamic shapes of classic racing cars. The integrated red gold bracelet enhances the piece's cohesive and sophisticated aesthetic.

Inside beats the self-winding LF 270.01 caliber equipped with a micro-rotor, a fully in-house creation that reflects Laurent Ferrier’s uncompromising attention to detail. Designed, decorated, assembled, and regulated in the brand’s Geneva workshops, the movement boasts a power reserve of over 72 hours. The 215-component mechanism showcases traditional haute horlogerie finishing, including chamfered edges, polished details, and satin-finishing on the ruthenium-coated bridges.

The Sport Auto 79 is priced at CHF79,000 Swiss francs or approximately $97,300 excluding VAT.

To learn more, visit Laurent Ferrier, here.